Description
This is an original matched pair of Imperial Japanese Army officer’s shoulder boards, worn by an officer with the rank of Captain (大尉, Taii) during World War II. These epaulettes are constructed from field-grade olive drab wool, with two gilt rank stars affixed to each board, along with the correct chrysanthemum-pattern attachment stud at the lower end—a clear symbol of IJA officer status.
The wool body is clean, tightly woven, and well-preserved with minimal fading. The stars are original brass fixtures with crisp five-point detailing, and both boards match in construction, tone, and hardware. The underside of one board retains a factory-issued canvas tab, complete with a bold ink-stamped kanji arsenal marking—a detail highly sought after by collectors of authentic Japanese militaria.
These shoulder boards were worn with officer service tunics and field blouses, often seen on officers commanding infantry regiments or support units in campaigns across China, Burma, the Philippines, and the Pacific islands. The captain rank was a key leadership position, typically responsible for company-level command and field coordination.
This set is 100% original, with no postwar alterations or reproduction parts. A clean, correct, and well-marked example—ideal for completing a uniform, shadowbox display, or adding a rank-specific piece to a World War II Japanese Army collection.
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